Over 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, accounting for 50% to 60% of the adult population over the age of 65. Interestingly, the incidence of hearing loss in long-term care facilities is reported to range at a much higher rate from 70% to 80%. Why is the incidence so much higher for these adults? 

The typical age of residents in long-term care environments is over 85, and they often exhibit a range of chronic illnesses, including cognitive deficits such as disorientation and dementia.  Researchers have noted a significant link between hearing loss and dementia: the more severe the hearing loss, the more likely the resident is to have dementia. In turn, untreated hearing loss can mimic dementia and other cognitive impairments, reducing the resident's quality of life. This makes hearing loss a prevalent medical issue in long-term care facilities – one that should not be ignored. 

Hearing aids are the single most effective therapeutic approach for the majority of people with hearing loss. Yet, even with the high incidence of hearing loss, as many as 75% to 80% of adults with hearing loss do not acquire hearing aids. The most important barriers to purchasing a hearing aid are comfort, cost and the overall quality of hearing devices. Additional barriers include the additional time, cost and disruption of attending in-office visits for a hearing examination and fitting. 

In a Journal of American Medical Directors Association study conducted among long-term care facility residents who did not use a hearing aid, key issues included:

  • Caregivers did not know why residents did not have a hearing aid.
  • Residents did not have hearing evaluations.
  • Staff members were not aware of hearing problems in residents.

Among residents who did use a hearing aid, the majority reported problems with the devices, including:

  • The hearing aid is inconvenient to use.
  • The hearing aid does not fit or function well.
  • Residents need help taking care of the hearing aids, and staff members have limited training in the use or maintenance of the devices.

Given the issues that residents and caregivers face with hearing aids, a solution becomes critical for those dissatisfied with the quality of the technology that exists, particularly in long-term care. The good news is that high-quality, low-cost hearing aids are available that provide outstanding sound quality without the need for a hearing exam or in-office fitting. For example, Songbird Hearing devices are designed to allow individuals to acquire digital behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids that are ready to use right out of the box. Their modular, instant-fit designs allow caregivers to purchase a hearing device for their loved one, allowing for the immediate use and benefit of better hearing. These devices are very comfortable, with volume controls to find the right volume level to match the degree of hearing loss. They can easily be inserted by the wearer or a caregiver in either the right or left ear, eliminating the difficulty in figuring out which hearing aid goes in which ear, and maintenance involves simply wiping the device clear of any visible wax. At a cost under $200, these devices offer a low-cost amplification option to the high cost of hearing aid loss and theft all too common in residential environments.  In short, Songbird's hearing aids provide a convenient and affordable solution to the many barriers encountered in long term care facilities.

Click here for the results to our recent consumer survey that examined the knowledge and perception of hearing issues and technology.

Chris DiCostanzo is the CEO of Songbird Hearing.